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Goa Legislative Assembly in association with MIT School of Government inaugurates Goa@60

Celebrating democracy by empowering youth, women and panchayats
PANJIM, India, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — With the vision of creating ethical, spirited and committed Political Leadership for the country from the grassroots and from all walks of life, MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG) collaborated with Goa Legislative Assembly to celebrate the occasion of 60th year of liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule. This event is in line with the school’s vision to develop a pool of dedicated young leaders committed to nation building, infusing in them sense of national pride, democratic values and empathy for people coming from various walks of life. The event also marks 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements as the nation observes Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. Through this momentous event the MIT-SOG and Goa Government aims to highlight the strides Goa has made since 1961. Goa’s journey post 1961 is breathtaking! The character, patience and resilience shown by the Goans is commendable.

The five-day mega event commenced on 8th November 2021 comprises of thought provoking conclaves on mainstreaming women in policy making through National Women’s Parliament, strengthening active participation of youth in policy making through National Youth Parliament, and reiterating the strength and utility of local governance through National Panchayat Parliament. The Conclaves are being organized by Goa Legislative Assembly, conducted by MIT School of Government (MIT SOG), Pune and supported by Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad.
The MIT School of Government in the past have collaborated with State Legislative Assemblies of Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala to organise similar youth and women parliaments to inspire, motivate and engage them to take the baton of democracy, leadership and governance forward. MIT School of Government aims to strengthen the democratic systems and governments that will pave the way for world peace by training young minds of the country in electoral systems and governance.
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa who also is the Patron and Chief Convenor of the event said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and on the theme of Goa at 60, the Government of Goa is working towards giving more emphasis on women empowerment. To make women self-reliant, all the schemes of the central government and CM employment scheme have been implemented. Similarly, the government is providing employment to women by promoting the products made by various women self-help groups. On one hand we are working towards contributing to a self-reliant India and on the other we are working on a self-sufficient Goa. We thank MIT School of Government for giving us strength by organizing National Women’s Parliament along with National Youth Parliament and National Panchayat Parliament. Going forward we plan to organise such events every two years.”
Shri Rajesh Patnekar, Hon’ble Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly in his welcome address said, “The events on Women, Youth and Panchayat are part of diamond jubilee celebration of liberation of Goa. The events will focus on three important pillars of women, youth and local self-government bodies and will focus on increasing their participation in the democratic and electoral processes at various levels.”
He further stressed that the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by UNGA emphasizes on the need for gender equality, women participation in decision making process, and representation in legislature which lead to women empowerment in social, political, and economic context. Women participation in legislations is critical to achieving democracy in the true sense which in turn will help in creation of an inclusive society.”
Shri Rahul V. Karad, Managing Trustee & Executive President, MAEER’s MIT and Executive President, MIT World Peace University & Chief Initiator, MIT School of Government, addressed the audience on the vision behind having conclaves such as National Women’s Parliament. He said, “MIT School of Government was established in 2005 to give a new direction to politics and to bring educated youth into politics. Through this organization activities like Indian Student Parliament, National Women’s Parliament and Sarpanch Sansad are being implemented. Democracy is being celebrated on the occasion of 60th anniversary of Goa and Amrit Mahotsav of the country. Therefore, Women Parliament, Youth Parliament and Panchayat Sansad are being organized in collaboration with the Government of Goa for empowerment of women, youth and panchayats.”
Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India was the Special Guest of Honor for the event along with Shri Rajesh Patnekar, Hon’ble Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Smt. Nirmala Sawant, Former Power Minister, Government of Goa, Shri Churchill Alemao, MLA, Benaulim Constituency, Alina Saldanha, MLA, Cortalim Constituency, and Shri Govind Gawde Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture, Government of Goa.
The first day of the National Women Parliament saw the presence of eminent dignitaries including Dr. Rama Jayasundar – Professor & Head, Department of NMR, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Devi. Vaibhavishri Alekar – Shrimad Bhagvat Katha Exponent (Pune, Maharashtra), Adv. Manasi Pradhan – Founder, Nirbhaya Vahini, Nirbhaya Samaroh and OYSS Women, Smt. Laxmi Agarwal – Campaigner, Stop Acid Attacks Mission, Smt. Shovana Narayan – Padma Shri, Renowned Indian Kathak Dancer, Ms. Shital Mahajan – Padma Shri, Arjun Awardee, Indian Skydiver, Founder, Phoenix Skydiving Academy, Neli Rodrigues- Principal, MES College, Ex. Zilla Parishad, President, South Goa, Zilla Panchayat , Ch. Hima Bindu – Senior Associate Director, Indian School of Business, Shri. Nanik Rupani – Chairman, Neutron Electronic Systems Pvt. Ltd. & Chairman Emeritus, Priyadarshni Academy, Former President, Indian Merchants Chamber,Dr. Dilip Chenoy – Secretary General, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and  Pratima Dhond- Ex Chairman Goa Women’s Bank, Vice President GOA Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
The themes of the post-inaugural session revolved around evocative topics that stressed upon the need for a greater participation of women in politics and policy making. Women are dynamic leaders of change, who can galvanize the society for achieving higher ideals, strengthen the community bonds, and protect the family system. Their participation is fundamental to decision making at all levels of democratic and inclusive governance.
Goa began its journey towards glory and a better life for its citizens with high hopes and strong resolve. Today, Goa is considered to be a very mature state with a stable economy, able political leadership, an ever increasing tourism industry as well as having the best quality of life in India. This journey would have been incomplete without the three strong pillars – women, youth and panchayats. With these conclaves the participation of the three groups will be further strengthened and will act as models of excellence for other states to replicate.
About MIT SOG
The MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG), a constituent unit of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, is the first institute of its kind to initiate a two-year Master’s degree program in Political Leadership & Government or MPG (UGC-approved program) for a Career in Politics.
MIT-SOG was initiated in the year 2005 under the visionary leadership of Shri. Rahul V. Karad – Initiator & Executive President, MIT World Peace University with the vision of creating Ethical, Spirited and Committed Political Leadership for the country from the grassroots and from all walks of life.
Under the able guidance of Late. Shri. T.N Seshan, First Chairman, MIT-SOG, former Chief-Election Commissioner of India (also well known as the Father of Electoral Reforms in India), the curriculum for MPG program at MIT-SOG was designed with the complete involvement of highly decorated officials from Government, Politics, Judiciary, Media and Academia. MIT-SOG specifically caters to the need for training students in politics & government in order to become trained Political Leaders of the country.
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1682993/MIT_SOG_Goa_Legislative.jpg

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India Emerging as Stable Investment Anchor in Turbulent Global Economy, Say Investors at IGF Mumbai 2026

Capital allocators at IGF Mumbai 2026 assess India’s role as conflict in West Asia reshapes global markets.MUMBAI, India, March 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As military conflict in West Asia disrupts energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and global liquidity tightens, leading investors, policymakers and capital markets leaders gathered at IGF Mumbai 2026: Catalysing Capital to assess India’s position in an increasingly fragmented global economy.

The third edition of India Global Forum’s flagship Mumbai gathering brought together authoritative voices from private equity, venture capital, public markets and policy to examine how shifting geopolitics, supply-chain disruptions and tightening financial conditions are reshaping global capital flows – and where India fits within this evolving landscape.Despite global uncertainty, investors at the forum expressed strong confidence in India’s structural growth story.Speaking at the forum, Howard Morgan, Chairman of B Capital, said the current moment reflected more than just rising foreign investment.”What makes this moment different is not just the amount of foreign capital – it is the spirit and confidence within India itself.”Morgan added that global investors increasingly see India evolving beyond its traditional role as a services hub.”There’s a strong belief that India can become a global technology player, not just a services provider or a support hub for the rest of the world. India can produce goods and services for global markets, and for its own domestic market, which is now larger than China’s.”Reflecting on India’s position in a rapidly changing global landscape, Manoj Ladwa, Chairman of India Global Forum, said the country’s strategic balance is becoming increasingly important as global capital recalibrates.”In this evolving global landscape, India occupies a uniquely powerful position. Large enough to matter, open enough to integrate, and independent enough to make sovereign choices. India can expand trade while strengthening resilience, attract global capital while building domestic capability, and partner widely without becoming narrowly dependent. That balance will define the next phase of India.”Several speakers highlighted the growing importance of domestic capital in strengthening India’s financial resilience.Sunjay Sudhir, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, offered a sobering assessment of the regional conflict that framed the day’s discussions.”The geopolitics of the Middle East are changing rapidly, and history is being written in real time. What we are witnessing now is unprecedented in this part of the world. The region has always been volatile, but few imagined that tensions could escalate to this extent.”Amit Chandra, Chairperson of Bain Capital Private Equity, pointed to the scale of local investment capacity.”Domestic capital is becoming one of India’s biggest strengths. Indian investors are increasingly deploying capital through equities and SIPs, while the country also holds vast untapped wealth in assets like gold.”Market participants also noted the rising maturity of India’s financial ecosystem and the expanding role of domestic investors in supporting market stability.Radhika Gupta, Managing Director & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, said increasing participation in mutual funds reflects changing investor behaviour.”February 2026 numbers for the mutual fund industry were actually 10% higher than January 2026 numbers. I think that reflects rising consumer maturity.”Similarly, Manisha Girotra, CEO of Moelis, highlighted how domestic investors are increasingly competing with global capital in major transactions.”One of the most encouraging trends is the rise of domestic capital. Indian strategic players are now competing with global investors to acquire assets. That rarely happened earlier.”Karthik Reddy, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures, highlighted India’s continued ability to sustain public listings as a meaningful differentiator, noting that despite periodic foreign outflows from Indian equities, global investors continue to allocate meaningfully to Indian primary markets, particularly IPOs.Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital, offered the long view: “In the last 40 years that I have been professionally engaged in the world of startups, conflict cycles come and go. They don’t matter if you take a long-term perspective.”Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting capital flows, the conversations at IGF Mumbai 2026 underscored a growing consensus among global investors: India’s economic scale, domestic capital strength and institutional resilience are positioning the country as a defining force in the next phase of the global capital order. For investors navigating an uncertain world, India is increasingly becoming a market of stability rather than speculation.About India Global ForumIndia Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity.For more information, visit: www.indiaglobalforum.com Twitter: @IGFUpdates | @manojladwaLinkedIn: India Global ForumPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2932542/Manoj_Ladwa_Howard_Morgan_IGF.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566069/IGF_Logo.jpg 

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Reliance Digital Introduces High-Performance iQOO 15R to its Nationwide Store Network

MUMBAI, India, March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital announces the offline retail availability of iQOO, the high-performance smartphone brand built for today’s youth and tech-forward consumers. Following strong traction in online channels, iQOO is now extending its presence into physical retail, allowing customers to experience and purchase its devices first-hand at Reliance Digital stores across India.

Known for pushing the boundaries of speed, and power, the iQOO 15R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, delivering exceptional speed, responsiveness, and sustained performance throughout the day. It packs iQOO’s biggest battery yet in an ultra-slim 7.90mm design, making it India’s slimmest smartphone with a 7600 mAh battery.The device features a 6.5K IceCore VC Cooling Chamber for stable performance and runs on OriginOS 6.0 based on Android 16 out of the box, supported by 4 years of software updates and 6 years of security updates. It is also equipped with a Sony LYT-700V OIS camera, a 1.5K 144Hz AMOLED EyeCare display, and IP68 & IP69 dust and water resistance, making it a dependable daily partner for professionals on the go.The brand’s offline expansion marks an important step in deepening consumer engagement by offering hands-on access to its devices, enabling customers to explore iQOO’s powerful performance, advanced display technology, and flagship-grade camera capabilities in a real-world retail environment.The availability of iQOO at Reliance Digital brings together two brands driven by innovation and consumer experience. While iQOO continues to build its reputation as a performance-led smartphone brand, Reliance Digital strengthens its portfolio by offering customers access to cutting-edge technology brands through its extensive nationwide retail network.Through engaging in-store experiences, knowledgeable staff, and immersive product demonstrations, Reliance Digital aims to help consumers better understand iQOO’s performance-first DNA. This move further reinforces Reliance Digital’s commitment to staying ahead of evolving consumer preferences and serving as a preferred destination for discovering new-age technology.With this expansion, Reliance Digital continues to play a key role in shaping India’s consumer electronics landscape by bringing future-ready brands closer to customers, while enabling smartphone brands like iQOO to build stronger connections with a growing, performance-driven audience.The all new iQOO 15R is now available at Reliance Digital stores nationwide.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931475/iQOO_15R.jpg 

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Power Creator Awards – Women’s Edition by Times Entertainment, Lights Up Mumbai, Celebrating Digital Trailblazers on International Women’s Day

MUMBAI, India, March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In a dazzling celebration of creativity, influence, and impact, Times Entertainment successfully hosted the Power Creator Awards – Women’s Edition on March 9th at The Lalit, Mumbai. Marking International Women’s Day, the gala honored the extraordinary women who are not just creating content but are building communities and driving meaningful change across India’s digital landscape.

The evening brought together the biggest names from the world of entertainment and digital media. The ceremony was graced by high-profile personalities including Hina Khan, Kusha Kapila, Sanjana Sanghi, Sona Mohapatra, Sonnalli Seygall, and Sumukhi Suresh, who stood as a testament to the growing synergy between traditional stardom and digital influence.A Distinguished JuryThe ‘Jury Choice’ winners were selected after a rigorous deliberation process by an esteemed panel of industry veterans. The jury featured:Divya Dutta (National Award-winning Actor & Author)Rasika Dugal (Versatile Actor known for Mirzapur & Delhi Crime)Shweta Tripathi Sharma (Acclaimed Actor and digital pioneer)Anup Soni (Renowned Actor and Anchor)”To witness so many creators through the jury process was a reminder that creation is a reflection of who we are,” said Shweta Tripathi Sharma. Rasika Dugal added, “I was particularly moved by the ‘Breaking the Bias’ category; the courage and honesty of these women is truly inspiring.”Celebrating the WinnersThe awards followed a dual-winner format—Jury Choice and Popular Choice (voted for by millions of fans nationwide)—covering over 20 diverse categories.CategoryWinner (Jury/Popular Choice Highlights)Power Comedy CreatorSrishti Dixit / Aanchal AgrawalPower Fashion & StyleRachel D’cruz / Jhanvi BhatiaPower Breaking BiasMira Erda / Saniya Mistri KaiyumuddinPower Music CreatorSantvani Trivedi / Melissa SrivastavaPower Food CreatorNatasha Gandhi / Kriti BhoutikaPower Fitness IconNeha Singh / Vibha MahajanPower Podcaster CreatorAleena Qureshi/ Srishti Ganguli and Salonie PatelCheck out the full winners list here – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/women/voices-of-power/times-entertainments-power-creator-awards-womens-edition-complete-winners-list-palak-muchhal-ira-khan-and-more-honored/articleshow/129344078.cmsPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2931390/Power_Creator_Awards.jpg 

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